Evan Harrington — Volume 6 by George Meredith
page 15 of 89 (16%)
page 15 of 89 (16%)
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Harry began to whistle: a sign in him that he was thinking his hardest. 'I confess to being considerably impressed by the maid Wheedle,' said Raikes. 'Would you throw yourself away on her?' Evan inquired. Apparently forgetting how he stood, Mr. Raikes replied: 'You ask, perhaps, a little too much of me. One owes consideration to one's position. In the world's eyes a matrimonial slip outweighs a peccadillo. No. To much the maid might wheedle me, but to Hymen! She's decidedly fresh and pert--the most delicious little fat lips and cocky nose; but cease we to dwell on her, or of us two, to! one will be undone.' Harry burst into a laugh: 'Is this the T.P. for Fallow field?' 'M.P. I think you mean,' quoth Raikes, serenely; but a curious glance being directed on him, and pursuing him pertinaciously, it was as if the pediment of the lofty monument he topped were smitten with violence. He stammered an excuse, and retreated somewhat as it is the fashion to do from the presence of royalty, followed by Harry's roar of laughter, in which Evan cruelly joined. 'Gracious powers!' exclaimed the victim of ambition, 'I'm laughed at by the son of a tailor!' and he edged once more into the shade of trees. It was a strange sight for Harry's relatives to see him arm-in-arm with |
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